Maqis seizes over RM250,000 worth of buffalo offal in Penang

BUTTERWORTH: Authorities have seized 2,516 boxes of frozen buffalo meat products from India at the North Butterworth Container Base Terminal here over misleading information used in declaring the goods.

In a statement on Wednesday (April 13), the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Department (Maqis) said the value of the seizure was estimated at RM262,079.63.

“The inspection found offal buffalo parts consisting of 1,000kg of hock tendon, 2,988kg of tail, 6,000kg of heart and 17,000kg of lung.

“All the goods have been detained by Maqis for further action.

“Importing items with fake, inaccurate or confusing information is an offence under Section 13 of the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Act 2011 and (offenders) can be fined not more than RM50,000 or jailed (for a term) not exceeding two years or both,” it said.

Maqis added that the department regularly inspects agricultural products at every point of entry to the country to ensure that plants, animals, carcasses, fish, agricultural products and micro-organisms brought in are free from the threat of pests, diseases and contaminants, and comply with the conditions and regulations set by the government.